So no red cards in pre season games now?

At times during Pre season games there's a bit more of a relaxed attitude.  Situations are managed a bit more and if a players gets a bit out hand he is subbed.   However there has to still be an element of credibility and if your going to go in like this during a game pre season or not you should still expect punishment!

All the blog posts I had seen on this and the video didn't show a red card.  So I went looking for a match report.  There didn't seem to be one on the Newport County site.  However on the WalesOnline site there is a match report.  I quote

But as Lee then worked his way across the field, Miller brought his run to a stop with a lunging tackle and the game was delayed for 10 minutes as medics attended him.

Miller, who was said to be distraught, was immediately replaced by Gary Warren and Lee was replaced by Robbie Blake.

So if its a pre season game now we can sub a player for a challenge like that.  Poor very poor.

Gold Cup sending off - Discuss

I was watching some of the highlights of the Panama vs Guadalupe  match from the Gold Cup.  Check out this sending off from the first half.

While its not a clear stamp, I belive the player could have avoided standing on him and so have no issue with the Red card. 

One question I have though.  Guadalupe  are not a FIFA registered nation.  So if they won this who goes to the Confederations Cup?  Also the fact a Non FIFA nation plays in it, does that mean that this is a Non Fifa Recognised tournament?  I noticed that the officials in the game were not wearing the standard Addidas Fifa kit?

News -Carrick Rangers fine £750 for abuse towards female official

Following an Irish FA Youth cup game between Carrick Rangers and Glenavon III. The Female Referee was sexist abuse by the Carrick supporters. Following the IFA investigation they fined Carrick Rangers 750. Quite a heavy amount for a youth game although the club does play in the Irish Premiership so should set a better example.

You can read the full article here on the Belfast Telegraph

What would you do: Goal or Not?

Clever bit of play and creative free kick.  However is it legal in law?

Its a little down to interpretation.  The Fifa guidance on  Free Kicks says the following

• The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
• A free kick can be taken by lifting the ball with a foot or both feet simultaneous

However it also says the following

• Feinting to take a free kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of  football. However, if in the opinion of the referee, the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behaviour, the player must be cautioned.

So if you were of the view that its a clever trick to deceive you could disallow the goal.  However to be honest its such a clever piece of skill let it stand!

Thanks to @willpare for sending it me

Last nights Celtic Rangers game

I had to nip out late last night and on the Radio they were talking about the carnage during the Old Firm Game last night.   I cant comment really and haven't had chance to read to much into it today but did hear the the Police are now that peed of it with, they want the game banned or even played behind closed doors.   If the police were that bothered why let the game be played on a Wednesday night when everyone knows its going to be volatile